There are a couple of inherent shortcomings which are hard to be overcome in single topology network; thus we propose a novel routing protocol—VCHR, i.e., Virtual Cluster-based Hybrid Routing, which employs hybrid topology, bears the stamp of flat and hierarchical routing protocol. At stage of hierarchical routing, VCHR draws on the idea of the virtual cluster; base station controls clustering process based on network coverage control criteria in centralized model, and ensuring the reliability of virtual clusters by making use of the three-way handshake mechanism. Flat routing employs shortest path routing protocol to get the optimized routing path to base station. In context of low algorithm complexity, the protocol could realize full network coverage control, effectively balance energy load among sensor nodes and quickly respond to network dynamic changes.